Research and creativity honored

May 19, 2014

A keynote presentation by Dr. Charles Brown, professor of philosophy and the 2014 recipient of the President’s Award for Research and Creativity concluded a full day of scholarship.

Research and Creativity Day on May 1 drew more than 150 Emporia State students and faculty sharing their projects through presentations and posters. New this year was a “Three Minute Thesis” for graduate students.

Brown came to Emporia State University in 1989 as an assistant professor of philosophy, and his many accomplishments in the subfields of intercultural dialogue and environmental philosophy have brought him national and international acclaim since that time.

The first of his two books is internationally recognized as establishing “Eco-Phenomenology” as a new genre in environmental philosophy, which has become a research paradigm across many other disciplines as well. Brown has since published many book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles that expand his contributions to this field. His work is also recognized for pioneering the emerging sub-discipline of ecopsychology.

Colleagues describe Brown as “a mature and original thinker whose work has been widely influential in the field of contemporary environmental philosophy and political theory, and his work continues to open new horizons within these fields.” Brown has the distinction of being the only three-time recipient of the International Society of Universal Dialogue’s prestigious Jacobsen Research Prize, given for outstanding work in political philosophy and inter-cultural dialogue.

Brown is the 20th recipient of the Emporia State President’s Award for Research and Creativity, which was established in 1996 to honor an ESU individual who has been active in research, scholarly activity, or creative endeavors. The award includes a $1,000 prize.

Emporia State University is a dynamic and progressive student-centered learning community that fosters student success through engagement in academic excellence, community and global involvement, and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.